Frustration in Louth as long-awaited Dundalk Primary Care Centre hit by further delays

The construction of a long-awaited primary care centre in County Louth has been hit by further delays.

Louth Fianna Fáil TD Erin McGreehan submitted a written parliamentary question on the Dundalk Primary Care Centre to the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

There have been plans for the development at the site of the former Carroll Village Shopping Centre for several years.

Deputy McGreehan asked the Minister for an update on plans for the centre and if she would make a statement on the matter.

In response, Minister Carroll MacNeill said: “The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the proposed PCC for Dundalk, which is being delivered through the Operational Lease Model, is fully approved and a preferred provider is in place.

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“The HSE has entered into a legal agreement to lease the facility upon its delivery by the preferred provider.

“The preferred provider has commenced their own tender process for a building contractor, and submissions are expected in the coming weeks.”

She went on to outline when construction is expected to begin and what services will be available there once it is completed.

“I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, subject to the successful appointment of a building contractor, the HSE expects that works will commence on site by early Q2 2026.

“When operational, planned services available in Dundalk PCC will include GP services, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, mental health services and disability day services.

“Dundalk PCC will be an important addition to the PCCs currently serving the people of County Louth across Drogheda, Carlingford, Ardee and Castlebellingham.”

In a statement in October of last year, the HSE said that works would commence in Q1 2026.

At the time, Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú expressed his frustration that the centre was not expected to open until 2028.

However, Minister Carroll MacNeill believes that “real progress” is being made in developing primary care infrastructure.

In total, there are 180 primary care centres in operation across the country. Of these, 51 have been constructed since 2020.